The Western Force say they are in the dark about reports they will be axed from Super Rugby should the competition partners agree to move to a 15-team model.
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News Ltd newspapers published reports on Monday night stating the West Australian franchise would be culled should the four SANZAAR unions convince their respective broadcasters that a reduction from 18 to 15 teams is the way to go for Super Rugby's future.
The ARU would not comment on the matter, while Force chief executive Mark Sinderberry said neither he nor the Force board had received any correspondence, official or otherwise, regarding the club's future.
"There's nothing to say, we haven't been given any further information and we remain positive about the future of the Western Force," Sinderberry said.
Fairfax Media understands the SANZAAR partners agreed to a 15 team model with one less Australian team and two fewer South African teams at a meeting in London earlier this month, but that final approval would not come until the board of SA Rugby meet to vote on an outcome next week.
Further, Fairfax Media understands the ARU has briefed the Super Rugby clubs that any decision on which team would be culled would be worked through after SANZAAR makes an official announcement.
It is highly likely the ARU has recommendations prepared on which team that should be, but the Force, the Brumbies and the Rebels are all understood to be in the dark about what those might be.
Sources have suggested that Australian broadcaster Fox Sports favours a model without the Western Force over losing a team in Canberra or Melbourne. Chief executive Patrick Delany could not be reached for comment on Monday.
Each of the SANZAAR member unions have spent the past two weeks consulting broadcasters and other stakeholders about the preferred 15-team model.
